People across North Yorkshire are being urged to help the county council stamp out physical and mental abuse of vulnerable adults.

This month sees World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – an international, co-ordinated campaign aimed at highlighting the scandal and misery of vulnerable adults who are the victims of assault, neglect, abuse and intimidation.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15th, and is organised by Action on Elder Abuse, a national charity

North Yorkshire County Council is backing the initiative with a publicity campaign of its own to alert people to the issues … and to appeal for help in tackling them.

County Councillor Clare Wood, Executive Member for Adult Social Care said:

Abuse of this kind happens in so many different circumstances – even to people in their own homes – and can even be perpetrated by relatives or people they know well.

We urge anyone who suspects a vulnerable person is being beaten, bullied, cheated, or otherwise abused, to contact us.

The council launched its new safeguarding campaign in December, aimed at raising awareness about vulnerable adults in North Yorkshire and helping to get them the help and support they need and deserve.

The campaign is backed by more than 90 agencies and organisations, including the NHS, the police, trading standards, and fire and rescue. Copies of the campaign posters can be downloaded free from www.northyorks.gov.uk/safeguarding

Anyone suspecting that a vulnerable person is being abused in any way is urged to contact the County Council on 0845 034 9410.